Referendums see low voter turnout so far

James Cox

Voter turnout has been slow thus far for the family and care referendums, with a level of 10 per cent in some areas approaching lunchtime.

Polling stations opened at 7am and will remain open until 10pm this evening, so people still have a lot of time to vote.

Voter turnout had reached 10 per cent in parts of Co Dublin by noon, according to the Irish Examiner.

It started slow in Cork, but had hit 8.6 per cent in parts of the county by noon.

In Kildare, it stood at 2 per cent in Leixlip and Naas after 9.30am this morning.

Five per cent of voters had turned up by 10.30am in Killarney, Co Kerry. Returning officers in Co Wicklow recorded a slow start to the day.

The referendums propose changing the wording of the Constitution relating to the areas of family and care.

The family amendment proposes extending the meaning of family beyond one defined by marriage and to include those based on “durable” relationships.

The care amendment proposes deleting references to a woman’s roles and duties in the home, and replacing it with a new article that acknowledges family carers.

The Constitution is the fundamental legal document for the country and can only be changed with the approval of Irish citizens through a national vote.

The campaigns have led to national debates over the role of women in the home, what responsibility the State has for care and the meaning of family. - Additional reporting from Press Association